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Co-Orchestration of Collaborative Learning in Synchronous Hybrid Education

  • //applyindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/belgium.png Belgium
  • University/Institute Name KU Leuven
  • Attendance Type On Campus (Full Time)
  • Position Funding Type Research Assistantship (RA)
  • Application deadlineAugust 10, 2025
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Position Details (PhD Research Project)

Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the KU Leuven.
Research Unit Education & Training, Centre for Instructional Psychology & Technology (CIP&T)

The Education and Training Research Group tries to understand and improve the processes that play a role in educational contexts. These processes encompass both the micro level (the learner and the teacher), the meso level (school organisations, relations among professionals), and the macro level (educational systems). Their study can be of an empirical and/or a conceptual nature.
Our research group is also responsible for teacher training in the faculty and provides general courses in the teacher training at the university.
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Project

This PhD project investigates how collaborative learning can be effectively supported in synchronous hybrid education (SHE), where students participate both onsite and remotely. While hybrid models offer flexibility and inclusion, they also introduce new challenges for teachers—particularly the increased teacher orchestration load and unequal student engagement. The project aims to explore how co-orchestration strategies, such as teacher dashboards and teaching assistants, can help manage the complexity of teaching in hybrid classrooms. Using a design-based research approach, the PhD candidate will work in KU Leuven’s newly developed collaborative hybrid classroom to gather multimodal data and develop evidence-based guidelines for effective and inclusive hybrid teaching.

Profile

We are looking for candidates who
  • have a Master’s degree (e.g., in Educational Sciences, Psychology, Behavioral Sciences);
  • have a special interest in the profession of the teacher and the use of technology in education and training
  • have good methodological skills to perform mixed-methods research
  • have distinguished themselves during their study career;
  • are creative and result-oriented;
  • are able to work both independently and in an international team;
  • have a very good command of English (oral and written), and preferably also of Dutch as the intervention studies will be in collaboration with Flemish teachers and students. 
 

Offer

As a PhD student, you will have every opportunity to develop yourself further in your professional career, by studying literature, attend seminars and workshops, participate in international conferences and interact with leading researchers from multiple disciplines. This position offers flexibility and the opportunity to work with enthusiastic teams in stimulating environments. In addition, you will become part of (and contribute to) a network of academic and non-academic partners in the flourishing market of educational technology. Your research will contribute to fast developments in education and learning that have a high societal impact.
We offer a full-time appointment at KU Leuven (initially for 1 year, but conditional on a positive evaluation extended to 4 years). 
The candidate preferably starts in October 2025. 

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Annelies Raes, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Ginette Lafit, mail: [email protected].

Along with their CV, we ask that candidates also submit a cover letter concisely explaining their interest in this vacancy.
Interviews (first round) will take place on 21 or 22 August, 2025

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

Educational Psychology Higher Education Quantitative Psychology

Position Start Date

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